Isolation of tocopherol from Commiphora myrrha

Abstract

Methods of isolating tocopherol from Commiphora myrrha using a non-polar solvent are provided.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of isolating tocopherol from  Commiphora myrrha  comprising:
 (a) providing a sample of  Commiphora myrrha;    
 (b) extracting the sample of  Commiphora myrrha  using a non-polar solvent to obtain an extract; 
 (c) distilling the extract; and 
 (d) isolating tocopherol. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the extracting comprises Soxhlet extraction. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sample of  Commiphora myrrha  comprises  Commiphora myrrha  resin. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , further comprising grinding the  Commiphora myrrha  resin to obtain a powder. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising extracting about 0.5 to about 1.5 g of the powder with about 0.050 ml to about 0.150 ml of the non-polar solvent. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , further comprising extracting about 1 g of the powder with about 0.100 ml of the non-polar solvent. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the non-polar solvent is hexane. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the concentration of the tocopherol is about 18.97 mg/L. 
     
     
       9. A method of isolating tocopherol from  Commiphora myrrha  consisting of:
 (a) providing a sample of  Commiphora myrrha  resin; 
 (b) grinding the sample of  Commiphora myrrha  resin to obtain  Commiphora myrrha  resin powder; 
 (b) extracting the  Commiphora myrrha  resin powder using hexane to obtain an extract; (c) distilling the extract; and 
 (d) isolating tocopherol. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  where the extracting comprises Soxhlet extraction. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the concentration of the tocopherol is about 18.97 mg/L. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 9 , wherein about 1 g of the  Commiphora myrrha  resin powder is extracted with about 0.100 ml hexane.